Brewood country club raises the bar with new pub

The former Oakley House Country Club has now been transformed into The Oakley Arms at Brewood, near Wolverhampton.

Brunning and Price has turned the building into a pub and restaurant which seats 160 inside and a further 100 on a terrace outside which overlooks a lake.

John Duncan is the new landlord but is no stranger to the area as he has been working and living locally in Blymhill since 2001. His wife Sarah lived in Brewood before moving to Bishops Wood and is enjoying being back within the local community.

Delighted

Mr Duncan is joined at the Oakley by Charlie Ward, who had been the deputy manager at the Fox at nearby Chetwynd Aston for the last nine years, and Lee Walley, previously head chef from the Oakley's sister pub the Hayhurst Arms in Bostock Green, Middlewich.

"The locals seem to be delighted with the transformation, we have had many old members from the time when it was a private club trying to remember where they used to come in, where they used to sit and even where they used to dance," Mr Duncan said.

"It feels like the whole of Staffordshire got married at the Oakley, as I must hear a dozen stories a day, about couples' first dances or their photos taken on the bridge or on the island in the lake. It's been so lovely to hear people reminisce.

"We have also seen a good number of walkers coming in for afternoon refreshments. The dog owners have been here in droves, enjoying the fireside tables in the bar area, and we have even had one happy horse and owner who visited on the weekend and took advantage of the hay and water trough.

"The most popular beer so far is the Salopian Oracle, closely followed by Wye Valley Butty Bach and the most popular dish at the moment would be our braised shoulder of lamb with Dauphinoise potatoes, carrot mash and rosemary gravy.

"Opening the doors on the first night has been the best bit so far. I am simply loving the faces of people as they walk in and see the new look Oakley. I must have heard 100 stories from the past and find it fascinating what has gone within these walls," enthused Mr Duncan.

Brunning and Price is a group of 50 pub restaurants that were founded in the North West of England and North Wales. Visit www.brunningandprice.co.uk/oakley